Shay Given has explained the positive change he is already spotting in Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the Club World Cup
Manchester City have enjoyed a brilliant Club World Cup campaign so far and are the only team to win all three of their group matches.
A Jeremy Doku-inspired City demolished Juventus 5-2 on Thursday, completely dominating proceedings and scoring some lovely goals.
An own goal put the Blues back ahead after Teun Koopmeiners scored an instant equaliser and then goals from Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savinho put them out of sight.
Pep Guardiola could be seen in an excellent mood on the sidelines, taking particular pleasure in Haaland’s scuffed and clumsy goal that even had the Norwegian blushing with embarrassment.
Former City goalkeeper Shay Given believes Guardiola, as well as his players, are looking in a much better head space already after last season’s struggles.
Pep Guardiola smiles during Man City vs Wydad AC.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
More Man City News
Shay Given is loving seeing a smile back on Pep Guardiola’s face
Guardiola endured the toughest season of his managerial career last term as City put up a meagre defence of their Premier League title and finished trophyless.
Losing to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final was the last stinging blow but City did at least manage to recover their form enough in 2025 to qualify for the Champions League.
It was a taxing campaign for City but Given believes Guardiola is already in a much better mood ahead of the new campaign.
Speaking on DAZN, Given was asked if there were any negatives from the victory and said: “There was moments again defensively you would still worry about.
“Obviously, they conceded two tonight. They conceded a few chances, that’s probably the only downside.
“But when you look at the forward play and the goals they’ve scored, it’s fantastic.
“The human side of it as well, I think, when they won four titles in a row, we thought these guys are robots, they’re inhumane.
“But even Pep makes these interviews, we’ve got our mojo back, we’ve got the Man City back that we all thought was automatic but it shows that they’re human beings.
“It shows that their confidence took a massive dip last season and even him, as a manager, he didn’t know what to do.
“But it feels now he’s in a better mood, he’s happy, he’s smiling.”
Can Man City win the Premier League title back from Liverpool?
While the Club World Cup is the current big priority, it is basically being used as a glorified pre-season tournament to get City ready for the season ahead.
Guardiola has bemoaned the extra burden of the competition for years, but it’s actually come in quite handy for City.
With a lot of changes happening to Guardiola’s squad, the manager has been able to use the ‘competitive’ competition to bed his new players in early and try out new tactical systems.
When the Premier League season gets underway, City shouldn’t really need any adaptation period as they’re already having it.
That could stand them in great stead as they prepare to battle Liverpool once again for the title.
Arne Slot has made a lot of big money signings, like Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, but they aren’t going to have as much time with their new teammates as City’s have.
It’s a small advantage, but they can have big impacts, and City can certainly win their crown back next season.